HydroSmart.AI

A smart water management platform designed to reduce water wastage at consumption points such as taps and faucets, incorporating IoT technology for monitoring and optimizing water usage.

MIT D-Lab class

D-Lab: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

Country

India, US, and can be scaled globally in water scarce countries and regions

Student team

MIT students unless otherwise noted.

Karen Liberman '24 - Karen Liberman - Undergraduate student from Brazil double majoring in Computer Science and Business Analytics with a minor in Environment and Sustainability.
Ritika Jain, MBA '25 - Ritika Jain - Graduate student from India pursuing her Masters in Business Administration from MIT Sloan School of Management with a concentration in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, and Finance.

Website

https://hydrosmart.ai/

Problem framing

Water wastage at consumption points (such as taps and faucets), particularly in large institutions like MIT, results from excessive water flow rates. This issue, while seemingly negligible on an individual level, escalates into significant environmental and economic costs at the institutional scale.

Cultural and/or market context

Previous efforts in water conservation have included the use of faucet and shower aerators, yet challenges persist due to a lack of awareness and the potential health risks associated with aerator maintenance. Studies highlight the need for enhanced awareness and innovative solutions to address both water wastage and associated health concerns effectively. Various consumption points serve distinct purposes, necessitating different types and rates of aerators. This complexity complicates the implementation of water-saving systems by institutions, as it demands thorough research. Additionally, institutions bear the responsibility of monitoring water savings and ensuring the hygienic replacement/cleaning of aerators.

Competitive analysis

Current solutions primarily focus on mechanical interventions like water-saving faucet designs and aerators. However, these approaches often overlook the potential for integrating technology to provide comprehensive, user-friendly solutions. HydroSmart.Ai distinguishes itself by offering a holistic approach that combines innovative hardware with smart software, presenting a unique value proposition in the water conservation market.

Solution including technical details

HydroSmart.Ai introduces water as a service, leveraging advanced hardware and software to create a comprehensive water management solution. The hardware component includes smart faucet aerators designed for the U.S. market with a variety of flow rates that drastically cut consumption at point of use , while the software aspect involves an IoT platform for real-time water usage monitoring and data analytics which is still under development. This blend of technology not only enhances water conservation efforts but also improves the user experience without compromising functionality.

Hand-off to partner, next steps

The initial phase involves pilot testing at MIT, aimed at quantifying water savings and demonstrating the efficacy of the hardware aerators. Subsequent steps include refining the product based on results (such as by changing the water flow rates or the suitability for different types of taps), scaling up the solution for wider adoption, and developing policies for maintenance to address health risks associated with aerator use. The components of the software and an overall architecture design will have been determined, but the next steps require the actual software production and testing. A business model and pitch-deck will be crafted to attract potential investors and partners for broader implementation.